Most Influential 100 Recognition Week 2024, (RW2024) following the opening of the 79th UN General Assembly, September 26-29th in New York City. This year holds special significance as we mark the conclusion of the 1st UN International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024).
RW 2024 will be packed full of global conversations, thought leadership, and human connections.
To learn more, attend a virtual Q&A session with MIPAD Officials, on August 31st on International Day for People of African Descent REGISTER: bit.ly/Every31stAugust
3 STEPS TO JOIN US IN NEW YORK 🙂
a. GET YOUR DP
b. BOOK HOTEL & BOOK FLIGHT or Win a FREE ticket to New York City!✈️🎫 please visit mipad.org/UnitedAirlines
c. REGISTER BELOW
Paulo Rogero
Founder
AfroFuturismo
Recognized for a trajectory that connects entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, Paulo Rogério Nunes from Bahia was named as one of the most important futurists and innovators of African origin by the international organization Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) , a partner of the United Nations to promote the Decade for People of African Descent. Leia mais em: https://forbes.com.br/forbes-tech/2024/04/conheca-o-baiano-que-entrou-na-lista-dos-afrofuturistas-mais-importantes-do-mundo/
Alexander Tsado
Founder
Ahura AI
Alex brings his product leadership and management skills from his time at Goldman Sachs, Bain & Company as well as his product leadership for NVIDIA’s cloud AI platform that led to a $10B business sector. Tsado is a founder of Alliance for AI, a leading non profit organization focused on accelerating adoption of technology for underrepresented communities in Africa
Pedro Lopes
Secretary Of State For Digital Economy
The Government Of Cape Verde
Son of José António Lopes (Praia – Achada de Santo António, Cape Verde, 7 September 1961) and Maria Isabel Alves (Coimbra, 18 January 1948). Family from Coimbra, Portugal and from Praia (Achada de Santo António) and Ilha do Fogo (Mosteiros), Cape Verde. Pedro Lopes has a degree in International Relations (University of Coimbra, Portugal), Master in Conflict Resolution (University of Bradford, UK) and Post Graduate in Strategic Marketing Communication (Department of Economics, University of Coimbra). He was President of the International Relations Students' Union of the University of Coimbra (NERIFE).
Ade Famoti
Global Head & Senior Director Research Incubations Microsoft Research Accelerator
Microsoft
Ade is a Senior Director and Lead Program Manager in Microsoft Research (MSR). He is a member of the Microsoft Research Accelerator leadership team, leading our research incubation efforts collaborating with researchers on the next big scientific discovery, and to identify the next big AI and advanced computing innovation at Microsoft. He’s also tasked leading a global team of Research Program Managers and Research Software Engineers, tasked with accelerating research into high-ambition outcomes across intersections of science, technology, business and societal outcomes for Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Science, Embodied Artificial Intelligence, Multi-Modal Foundation Models, and advanced computing technologies.
Jonathan Olufowobi
GLOBAL DIRECTOR and CEO
Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD)
His leadership at MIPAD will ignite global partnerships and bring the spotlight to the UK and Europe like never before. He’s spearheading initiatives like the upcoming ‘Top 100 Under 25: UK’s Next Generation,’ aimed at spotlighting the brightest young minds shaping the future, currently in or around the age of university. Get ready because Jonathan Olufowobi is on a mission to take MIPAD’s vibrant global network into the digital age, and the world is taking notice! Born and raised in London, England, Jonathan holds degrees from a top Russell Group University—a Bachelor’s in Business and Management Studies and a Master’s in International Business.
Kenneth Ebie
Inaugural Executive Director & Chief Development Officer
Black Entrepreneurs NYC (BE NYC)
Ken holds a B.A. from Harvard College, where he was elected as a Class Marshal, and a J.D. from Yale Law School. He was a Fulbright Scholar to Cameroon, where he was also a semi-professional basketball player. Banner photo (top) by Nicole Fara Silver via Brooklyn Magazine.
Keith Henry
Regional Director
JP Morgan
Keith B. Henry, who had been national resident director executive overseeing training and development of Merrill’s 450 producing managers, will take over the post in July following his required notice period, a J.P. Morgan spokesperson confirmed. The hire was announced internally in a memo from J.P. Morgan Advisors CEO Phil Sieg, who said he had known Henry for many years
H.E. Wamkele Mene
Secretary General
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Wamkele was born and raised in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape Province. He attended Marymount High School, before changing schools and enrolled at Trinity High School.[6] He graduated with a B.A Law from the Rhodes University. He obtained an M.A. in International Studies and Diplomacy from the School of Oriental & African Studies and an LL.M in Banking Law and Financial Regulation from the London School of Economics and Political Science
Eni Aluko
British football executive, football broadcaster and former professional player
Winger and Striker
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Aluko moved to Birmingham, England, at 6 months old. She earned 102 caps for the England national team from 2004 to 2016 and competed in multiple major tournaments, including the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2007, 2011, and 2015, as well as the UEFA Women's Euro in 2009 and 2013. She also represented Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Alfa Demmellash
Ethiopian entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer
non-profit Rising Tide Capital
Demmellash was born in Ethiopia and experienced significant early losses, including two siblings due to civil war. Her mother fled to Kenya and then the U.S., working multiple jobs to save enough to bring Demmellash to Boston when she was 12. Demmellash later attended Harvard University, focusing on politics and participating in the Harvard African Students Association. There, she met Alex Forrester, with whom she shared concerns about urban poverty.
Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr
Former VP
Costa Rica
Epsy Campbell Barr (Costa Rica), a former Vice President of Costa Rica and Minister of Foreign Affairs. She was twice a congressional representative in the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica. She is an Afro-feminist and human rights and environmental activist. She is also the founder of the Center for Afro-descendant Women and the Afro-descendant Institute for Study, Research and Development, as well as the Black Parliament of the Americas. She is a researcher with dozens of publications on democracy, inclusion, women’s rights issues, the environment, and on issues of people of African descent and on racism and racial discrimination. She has delivered statements in States, universities, companies, seminars and conferences in various countries of the world. Ms. Campbell Barr has received various international awards for her struggles in favour of sustainable and inclusive societies. She has a Humanities PhD from the University of Brenau, Georgia, and is an economist with Master's Degrees in International Cooperation for Development and Advanced Techniques in Political Participation.
Kamil Olufowobi
Founder
MIPAD 100
Kamil is a connectologist and global affairs expert who created a global platform that recognizes high achievers of African descent worldwide in support of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent to be observed from 2015 - 2024.MIPAD honorees are decision-makers in over 80 countries worldwide. Selected based on political clout, business acumen, social media following and humanitarian endeavors to lead the advancements for people of African descent worldwide. Kamil is a true embodiment of “Thinking Globally and Acting Locally,” he’s lived, schooled, worked and/or visited 30+ countries on 5 continents.